Loving God, Loving Others, Making Disciples

Grace or License

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4

Christianity at times can seem very lenient. Many churches around the world are quick to assure you that it is impossible for us to overcome sin as Jesus did. But is this really what’s written in the Bible? Or does Christianity offer something more than forgiveness?

We hear phrases from churches like, “Jesus died for you—He has done everything.” “You have forgiveness, no matter how much you sin.” “Once saved, always saved.”

These expressions, and many like them, can sound very attractive and hopeful, and even claim to have basis in the Scriptures. But it almost seems like this is just a license to sin. What comfort is that to someone who wants to stop sinning? Someone who is sick of the way they react, their bad habits, and all the evil tendencies that they just can’t seem to shake? Is there nothing more to Christianity than this?

Jude was addressing the same problems in the early church. People that were giving license to do whatever in the flesh.